A few years ago, Microsoft started developing a simplified and
locked-down version of Windows called “Windows Lite” for budget
devices. Windows 10X (originally known as ‘Lite OS’) is still
on track to debut early next year on mid-range devices from
Microsoft’s partners.
Windows 10X is based on
Windows Core OS and it will feature a static app launcher
in place of the iconic Start Menu. It would be Microsoft’s
first operating system that will drop support for Start Menu,
which means you cannot view live weather, events, etc on the
new ‘app launcher’.
The Windows Core OS-based modular OS will also ditch
Microsoft’s monochromatic designs for colourful icons, buttons,
and more. It will
bring back rounded corners or soft curves, and Microsoft
will optimize the OS for budget devices which may only have 4GB
of RAM, but it’ll initially ship on devices with more memory.
Windows 10X is still on track to hit the RTM status in the
coming weeks and it’ll be then deemed ready for the
manufacturers. Microsoft is also working with vendors for
Windows 10X-optimized ‘universal Windows drivers’, but there’ll
be no structural changes to the drivers.
Only single-screen experiences will be offered initially and
“mid-range” devices will begin shipping in Spring of 2021
without native support for Win32 desktop apps.
Microsoft will allow advanced users or businesses to access
their favourite desktop apps using an internet-based technology
called ‘Cloud
PC‘, which will sync with Office 365.
Microsoft sources have clarified that the tech giant won’t
allow users to install this operating system on their existing
devices. Much like Windows 10 on ARM, Chrome OS or iOS, Windows
10X will ship with new devices only. Of course, you’ll be able
to deploy it ‘unofficially’ by manually creating a bootable
image.
Internally, Windows 10X is being positioned as a direct rival
to Chrome OS and Microsoft will be targeting the education
sector.
